For the sake of clarity and understanding, I preface my article by stating that I am a “Native American”. Neither I, nor my tribal ancestors, have ever worshiped the sun nor do we hold special significance to the event of summer solstice. Other tribes do.

As far back as ancient times, many tribes from Mexico to Canada and the U.S. in between, celebrated summer solstice and apparently acquired a great amount of knowledge concerning the relationship of the sun and sky to the earth. The ancient Anazasi tribe of New Mexico, carved the representation of summer solstice in the ancient caves showing summer solstice, winter solstice and the equinoxes all within context of the earth orbit around the sun.

The Big Horn medicine wheel in Wyoming is a place for “World peace and prayer day” during summer solstice. There, many tribal nations will meet together along with others who are interested and pray the sun across the sky. They will leave their gifts at the medicine wheel. Summer solstice is represented on the medicine wheel.

The Big Horn medicine wheel is a wonder to behold, 90 feet in diameter and it dates back 300 to 700 years by some accounts. Others say 200 to 400 years. The wheel, made of stones laid out in a circle, is not a perfect circle but it accurately marks the spot of sunrise and sunset at summer solstice. Years ago, a person could spend the night there near the circle and see the solstice sunrise with his own eyes. Today it is a tourist attraction.

There are at least 40 other medicine wheels in the U.S. and Canada that bear similarities to the one at Big Horn. Some of these tribes will celebrate summer solstice. The Pan American Indian association (Thunderbird clan) hosts a sweat lodge featuring drumming and other activities during summer solstice.

The Chaco culture in Sedona, Arizona is another site where Native American Indians will celebrate summer solstice this year with a day of prayer.

Native American Indians, like all civilizations around the globe, have been sky watchers for a great many centuries. Our collective understanding of summer solstice is documented in caves and in the medicine wheel.

Resources:
http://bellaonline.com
http://www.kstrom.net/isk/stars/starkno5.html